Day: January 11, 2013

Retired SSGT to get the Medal of Honor, only four living recipient in the GWOT

Clinton L. Romesha, 31, will be the fourth living service member to receive the nation’s highest award for valor for actions in Afghanistan or Iraq. Seven other service members have posthumously been awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions in those wars.

Eight American soldiers were killed and two dozen others wounded in the battle as the troop-sized element fought against an overwhelming enemy force that launched a brazen attack to overrun the COP.

That's from the Army Times' Web site this morning which has the story right here. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in the US military and as you can see, only 11 people have earned it in more than a decade of fighting. Romesha, now retired, will receieve his medal Feb. 11 at the White House.

And the photo is from the Stars and Stripes web site which has their story here. The story of his actions are nothing short of extraordinary, just what you would expect. Yet, every time I read these citations, their courage and coolness under fire just amazes me.

The Keating battle, which I have read about in other places, involved some 300 insuirgents, Taliban, rebels, whatever you call them against about 50 or so Americans plus two Latavians. The battle lasted for 12 hours and several times, Romesha's courage was extraordinary.

To this day, it remains one of the deadliest battles of the Afghanistan War.

From the Army Times story:

Romesha “took out an enemy machine gun team and, while engaging a second, the generator he was using for cover was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, inflicting him with shrapnel wounds,” according to the citation.

Undeterred by his injuries, Romesha continued to fight, and upon the arrival of another soldier to aid him and with the assistant gunner, Romesha again “rushed through the exposed avenue to assemble additional soldiers.”

Romesha then mobilized and led a five-man team and returned to the fight.

“With complete disregard for his own safety, Romesha continually exposed himself to heavy enemy fire as he moved confidently about the battlefield, engaging and destroying multiple enemy targets, including three Taliban fighters who had breached the combat outpost’s perimeter,” according to the citation.

And there is far more in the Army Time story. Just remarkable. Congrats to his brave young man whose courage is properly honored. The entire battle is covered in a book called "Outpost," which is written by John Tepper. Think I might have to pick up a copy.

I got the following press release a week ago but have been so busy with work that I haven't had a chance to post it. So here's an update on the Honor Flight and an upcoming meeting.

The Land of Lincoln Honor Flight Board of Directors would like to thank the individuals, businesses and organizations that helped make it possible to fly four hundred twenty-three (423) WWII and Korean veterans to Washington, D.C. in 2012 to see their memorials. Monetary and in-kind donations, volunteered time, media coverage, and the service provided by guardians made these flights possible.

All members and the general public are invited to the LLHF Annual Meeting that will be held on January 19, 2013, at 1 p.m. at the Lakeside Christian Church at 225 Toronto Road in Springfield, Illinois 62711. The guest speaker will be Earl Morse, founder and former president of Honor Flight Network.

Earl Morse

Mr. Morse, a retired Air Force Captain, will tell the story of how he began the Honor flight program back in 2004 when he was a physician assistant at a Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Springfield, Ohio. Music will be provided by the PORTA Jazz Choir. Colors will be presented by the Italian Americans. The board of directors, a financial report, a synopsis of the 2012 flights and a proposed schedule for 2013 will be presented.

The raffle drawing for the handmade “Salute to Our Flag” quilt and other items will take place. Fundraising items (quilt raffle tickets, pins, shirts), applications, membership information and displays will be available.

Veteran applications are still being accepted for the following but WWII veterans will be served first:

Veterans who enlisted by 12-31-1946 (WWII – 72 currently on the list)

Veterans who served 1-1-47 through 12-31-57 (Korean Era – 335 currently on the list)

If you have any questions, need an application or wish to obtain a Land of Lincoln Honor Flight membership (2013 Annual $10; Lifetime $50; Honorary WWII Veteran membership – no charge), please visit the web site or call Ray Wiedle, chairman, at 217-622-1473 or 314-427-2317.